The Nigerian Muslim armory bldg (Washington Dean)

can't say that I've been in it, although i live two doors down. It looks like one of those buildings there is undergoing a renovation--there was a big dumpster out there with construction debris in it. Maybe they're fixing it up?

I haven't seen any big gatherings there; I know that the Zion church next door is pretty open about people coming in for services--the ladies invited us over "any time." Maybe the nigerians are the same way?

According to some of my Nigerian friends, Nigerians represent the biggest portion of the African community in New York, but there are not as visible as, say, the Senegalese, who are often street merchants or taxi drivers.

There are a couple Nigerian hangouts in the neighborhood:

* Gureje (see http://gureje.com/) at 886 Pacific between Washington & Underhill

* The Nigerian store on the west side Washington near Bergen

* Palava Hut (992 Atlantic @ grand)

None of the Nigerians I know in New York are Muslim, so I've been wondering about that mosque as well. But I do recommend going to any of the places I've mentioned. Gureje has very interesting fashion, and I'm not sure of the musical schedule, but it's got a great vibe when it gets going. They blast Fela when there's no live music.

Palava Hut will have a traditional praise singer with percussion on Friday nights. The proprietor, Remy, is extremely well spoken, and you are assured to have many interesting conversations. People are very friendly, and not too many non-Africans come in. It's a great place to get a Guinness. And you can find some funky bootleg CDs there as well- I got a copy of Yusuf Olatunji and his sakara group, and I've been full of joy ever since.

My friend Eli has gone to the basement of the grocery store on Washington, but even I haven't gotten that far yet.